Shadow Dragu-Mihai's bloghttps://shadowmihai.com/blog/2
enWorking With Lloyd Kaufman on Hellitosishttps://shadowmihai.com/lloyd-kaufman
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I am first A.D. on the feature schlock-horror flick <u>Hellitosis: The Legend of Stankmouth</u>. So I said to myself I would never direct a slasher pic. That doesn't mean I cannot assistant-direct somone else's movie. (I am also Associate Producer on this film). This one is produced by director/Producer Robert Mulligan and his Capacity Productions.</p>
<p>I had to make an exception for this film, because it has indie film legend <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0442207/" target="_blank"><strong>Lloyd Kaufman</strong></a> in a short guest sequence - Lloyd plays poor Jeremiah, who is beaten and slashed to death by one of the film's baddies. If you are any kind of film buff at all, you know who Lloyd is, and if you are an independent film maker, you probably idolize him. Lloyd is the man behind <a href="http://www.troma.com" target="_blank">Troma entertainment Inc.</a>(the oldest independent film company around): <u>Toxic Avenger</u>, <u>Poultrygeist</u>, <u>Nuke 'Em High</u> and so many more low budget (and memorable!) movies. He makes them and distributes them independently and has a very big hate on for the mainstream (mainstream hates him as well, I do believe). I do believe that Troma will have a part in distributing Hellitosis, but I do not know for sure.</p>
<p>It was a real pleasure to work with film legend Lloyd Kaufman, and a bunch of us got pictures with him. Here is the better one of two - taken after his scene. Wished to get another without the blood but I had a scene to do and he had to get out of his makeup and off to his hotel...</p>
<p>Really, it is one of the highlights of my film career to be able to work with Lloyd.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/shadow-dragu-mihai-lloyd-kaufman.jpg" title="HSH Prince Shadow Dragu-Mihai &amp; Lloyd Kaufman" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-218-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;HSH Prince Shadow Dragu-Mihai &amp; Lloyd Kaufman&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;HSH Prince Shadow Dragu-Mihai &amp; Lloyd Kaufman&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/shadow-dragu-mihai-lloyd-kaufman.jpg?itok=uX6Te3R4" width="100" height="67" alt="HSH Prince Shadow Dragu-Mihai &amp; Lloyd Kaufman" title="HSH Prince Shadow Dragu-Mihai &amp; Lloyd Kaufman" /></a></div></div></div>Thu, 24 Sep 2015 04:13:27 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai218 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/lloyd-kaufman#commentsHDR Image - Halloran Summit Sphynxhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/158
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>This is my first experiment with HDR photography - taken of a favorite landmark which I call the <strong>Halloran Summit Sphynx</strong>, visible from the south-bound side of the I-15 in California, not far from the Nevada state border.</p>
<p>Can you see the sphynx?</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_imaging" target="_blank">HDR photography</a></strong> is taken with 3 (or more) bracketed exposures from identical locations and lenses. Here it was a <strong>Sigma 50mm</strong> lens on my <strong>5Dmkii</strong> at <strong>f/16</strong>, <strong>ISO 100</strong>, at <strong>1/100th</strong>, <strong>1/250th</strong> and <strong>1/40th</strong> of a second shutter speed. I composited the exposures in Photomatix 5 Pro and finsihed it in Photoshop CS6.</p>
<p>I really like the color and light distribution in these images.</p>
<p>In retrospect I should have used my 20mm lens to capture a wider view, or perhaps my 24-70 at ~28mm wide. That way I would not have cut off the "front paw" section in the one image or the back end in the other. Oh well, live and learn.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/sphynx_hdr_01.jpg" title="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-158-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/sphynx_hdr_01.jpg?itok=XzW742af" width="100" height="49" alt="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx" title="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/sphynx_hdr_02.jpg" title="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx 2" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-158-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx 2&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx 2&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/sphynx_hdr_02.jpg?itok=6qtAaGSj" width="100" height="56" alt="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx 2" title="HDR Halloran Summit Sphynx 2" /></a></div></div></div>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 06:27:12 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai158 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/158#commentsSan Francisco Quick Triphttps://shadowmihai.com/node/154
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">General</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I took a quick trip to San Francisco in late January 2014. It's a long way from Las Vegas - about 9 hours - and I zig-zagged through Las Angeles on the way to check up on some business there.</p>
<p>While in San Francisco, my partner and I took a few hours to see the city. Here are a couple pics showing the amazingly straight streets (viewed from the tops of hills) and the incredible fields outside the city. The corner of Sunshine and Susalito is in a small cliffside community on the far side of the Golden Gate Bridge.</p>
<p>We hope to travel to San Francisco for work in the near future. It's got such a vibrant energy and apparent beauty, despite being such an urban place. Of course, the many places to go in the city and just outside of it are amazing as well.</p>
<p>Photos with my canon 5D mkii and 28-135mm lens.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0414.jpg" title="Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-154-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0414.jpg?itok=WYR6P7JK" width="67" height="100" alt="Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" title="Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0416.jpg" title="More Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-154-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;More Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;More Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0416.jpg?itok=9Owan4eV" width="100" height="67" alt="More Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" title="More Straight Streets and hills in San Francisco" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0444.jpg" title="Sunshine and Sausalito, San Francisco" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-154-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Sunshine and Sausalito, San Francisco&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Sunshine and Sausalito, San Francisco&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0444.jpg?itok=OEDoSWmL" width="100" height="67" alt="Sunshine and Sausalito, San Francisco" title="Sunshine and Sausalito, San Francisco" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0474.jpg" title="Field Outside San Francisco" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-154-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Field Outside San Francisco&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Field Outside San Francisco&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0474.jpg?itok=6YSGDcXm" width="100" height="67" alt="Field Outside San Francisco" title="Field Outside San Francisco" /></a></div></div></div>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 03:26:00 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai154 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/154#commentsTyson Mansion Shoothttps://shadowmihai.com/node/150
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photo Shoot</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I did a photo shoot with "duinker" <strong>Guy Dupuy</strong> and some of the promo work was at the <strong>Mike Tyson Mansion in Las Vegas</strong>. See a composite of Guy Dupuy leaping over a ferrari and dunking in the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/photo-gallery-action" target="_blank">sports section of my gallery</a>. Here are a couple images taken from the interior of the mansion.</p>
<p>Architectural photography often involves wide and ultra-wide angle lenses, as well as sometimes difficult lighting situations. (The minxx of light color from various sources and light avialability is often an issue). Wide lenses need correction in post editing to adjust for distortion, like slanted walls and elongated features. Great and expensive lenses are no less susceptible to distortion in geometry than cheaper ones, for the purposes of showing true architectural images.</p>
<p>The Tyson Mansion photos shown in my gallery are no exception; the kitchen and spa in particular required extreme correction to reflect their actual geometry.</p>
<p>Here are a couple images in addition to what is seen in the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/photo-gallery-landscape" target="_blank">architectural section of my gallery</a>.</p>
<p>Images are copyright 2014 Shadow Mihai All Rights Reserved, and you can obtain permission to use or purchase a limited print license to these and other images by contacting me on the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/contact" target="_self">contact form</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Click on the thumbnails to open in a color box at larger size!</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0579.jpg" title="Foutnain Lion - Tyson Mansion" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-150-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Foutnain Lion - Tyson Mansion&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Foutnain Lion - Tyson Mansion&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0579.jpg?itok=-pZYQYG2" width="67" height="100" alt="Foutnain Lion - Tyson Mansion" title="Foutnain Lion - Tyson Mansion" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0002.jpg" title="Indoor Fountain - Tyson Mansion" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-150-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Indoor Fountain - Tyson Mansion&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Indoor Fountain - Tyson Mansion&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0002.jpg?itok=8De3uZli" width="100" height="67" alt="Indoor Fountain - Tyson Mansion" title="Indoor Fountain - Tyson Mansion" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0009.jpg" title="Back Yard - Tyson Mansion" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-150-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Back Yard - Tyson Mansion&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Back Yard - Tyson Mansion&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0009.jpg?itok=QQvFA3Qj" width="100" height="67" alt="Back Yard - Tyson Mansion" title="Back Yard - Tyson Mansion" /></a></div></div></div>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:01:07 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai150 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/150#commentsCelebrities Gone Wild https://shadowmihai.com/node/149
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photo Shoot</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I did behind the scenes and promotional videography and photography for <a href="http://celebritiesgonewildshow.com/" target="_blank">Celebrities Gone Wild</a> starring (and produced by) <strong>Gary Seitz</strong> as "Anita Dollar" when it performed recently at the Westin Hotel showroom in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>A show like this is interesting to do, especially because you get to see it several times (I saw it at least 3 times in order to get enough footage for the producer's purposes.) Of course, lighting is always an issue during performances as you cannot use flash photography.</p>
<p>If you get a chance to see this show during one of its many incarnations, In recommend it as a <em>far, far less exhorbitant</em> alternative to the over-priced and no funnier <em>Divas Las Vegas</em>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0672.jpg" title="Anita Dollar - Gary Seitz" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-149-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Anita Dollar - Gary Seitz&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Anita Dollar - Gary Seitz&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0672.jpg?itok=fEmZnOyx" width="67" height="100" alt="Anita Dollar - Gary Seitz" title="Anita Dollar - Gary Seitz" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0201.jpg" title="Cast Of Celebrities Gone Wild" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-149-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Cast Of Celebrities Gone Wild&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Cast Of Celebrities Gone Wild&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0201.jpg?itok=8muxVDKk" width="65" height="100" alt="Cast Of Celebrities Gone Wild" title="Cast Of Celebrities Gone Wild" /></a></div></div></div>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:57:53 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai149 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/149#commentsBoxing Photo Shoothttps://shadowmihai.com/node/148
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photo Shoot</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In January 2014 I had the pleasure to work with the legendary <strong>Floyd Mayweather Sr</strong>. on an as-yet-to-be-released reality show featuring him and other famous trainers <strong>Ruben Guerrero</strong> and <strong>Yoel Judah</strong>.</p>
<p>I worked as video camera operator for behind-the-scenes, interviews, and additional camera operator on fight sequences. I had personal access and permission to take pictures for my own account between shooting and of course outside the set.</p>
<p>I found working with the cast of boxers to be inspiring and of course exciting (I love the sport). Here are a few of my favorite shots from the experience. See more in the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/photo-gallery-personality" target="_blank">personality</a> and <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/photo-gallery-action" target="_blank">sports</a> catergories of my gallery on this website.</p>
<p>Boxers all want publicity; its part of the game. But I found them to a man a bit shy of the still camera lens outside the ring. Still, with a very little direction, they worked well for my camera.</p>
<p>There are very specific challenges in photographing action as kinetic as boxing. Of course there are the issues of enough light and shutter speed, but most of all is how do you captureg the right moment when everything is moving a mile-a-second? Unlike many action photographers, I most often use a single frame capture - I do not take miles of images hoping to find that right one, even here. I rely on my background in martial arts and in action cinematography to let me know when something interesting is coming. As you can see, I still capture compelling and action-packed moments.</p>
<p>Images are copyright 2014 Shadow Mihai All Rights Reserved, and you can obtain permission to use or purchase a limited print license to these and other images by contacting me on the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/contact" target="_self">contact form</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Click on the thumbnails to open in a color box at larger size!</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0063_1.jpg" title="Boxers Said Quali and Denis Douglin between scenes" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-148-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Boxers Said Quali and Denis Douglin between scenes&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Boxers Said Quali and Denis Douglin between scenes&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0063_1.jpg?itok=b96S6UAi" width="100" height="70" alt="Boxers Said Quali and Denis Douglin between scenes" title="Boxers Said Quali and Denis Douglin between scenes" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0166_01_1.jpg" title="Stacy McKinley waiting in the ring" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-148-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Stacy McKinley waiting in the ring&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Stacy McKinley waiting in the ring&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0166_01_1.jpg?itok=lrym85JC" width="70" height="100" alt="Stacy McKinley waiting in the ring" title="Stacy McKinley waiting in the ring" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0308_04_1.jpg" title="Uppercut frozen by the camera!" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-148-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Uppercut frozen by the camera!&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Uppercut frozen by the camera!&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0308_04_1.jpg?itok=s0fcWymD" width="100" height="68" alt="Uppercut frozen by the camera!" title="Uppercut frozen by the camera!" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0115_0.jpg" title="Boxing Photo Shoot" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-148-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0115_0.jpg?itok=C0P83xtr" width="72" height="100" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:34:20 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai148 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/148#commentsChicago Concert Photoshoothttps://shadowmihai.com/node/147
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photo Shoot</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I had the pleasure of being given a media pass and permission to shoot photos of <strong>Chicago</strong> in concert at the <a href="http://www.thelvh.com" target="_blank">LVH</a> in September 2012.</p>
<p>Here are a couple images from that event.</p>
<p>These represent the type of images I like to get from personalities at events, public or private. People in the moment, relating to each other, not posing for the camera.</p>
<p>I used my Canon 5Dmkii and in this instance a very old and outdated 100-300mm lens. Although I had a media pass, I was asked to remain by the camera operators (who were documenting the concert for television). I was also working a video camera for a private party (again, who had obtained permission) so I had to remain there anyway...</p>
<p>Images are copyright 2012 Shadow Mihai All Rights Reserved, and you can obtain permission to use or purchase a limited print license to these and other images by contacting me on the <a href="http://shadowmihai.com/contact" target="_self">contact form</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Click on the thumbnails to open in a color box at larger size!</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0189.jpg" title="Chicago In Concert at LVH" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-147-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Chicago In Concert at LVH&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Chicago In Concert at LVH&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0189.jpg?itok=GscApbJf" width="74" height="100" alt="Chicago In Concert at LVH" title="Chicago In Concert at LVH" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0148.jpg" title="Chicago On Stage - LVH" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-147-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Chicago On Stage - LVH&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Chicago On Stage - LVH&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0148.jpg?itok=FwyaG62x" width="100" height="63" alt="Chicago On Stage - LVH" title="Chicago On Stage - LVH" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0125_criopped_wide.jpg" title="Chicago at LVH" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-147-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Chicago at LVH&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Chicago at LVH&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0125_criopped_wide.jpg?itok=SskSz4Tn" width="100" height="39" alt="Chicago at LVH" title="Chicago at LVH" /></a></div></div></div>Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:36:42 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai147 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/147#commentsNellis Air Force Training Photoshttps://shadowmihai.com/node/153
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photo Shoot</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/32" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">General</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Working on reality television as I do, I spend lots and lots of time in Las Vegas, Nevada. In case you hadn't noticed, it has become a staple of reality shows - almost a requirement of the format in fact - that the show either be shot entirely in Las Vegas or it goes there more than once.</p>
<p>When in Las Vegas, I tend to stay far, far away from the strip. First of all, you cannot realistically drive on the strip between noon on Friday till noon on Sunday any week, especially holiday or heavy convention weeks (which seems to be every week). I usually stay at an inexpensive and very clean extended stay place in North Las Vegas. It happens to be only a couple hundred feet from <a href="http://nellis.af.mil" target="_blank">Nellis Air force Base</a>. So I have gotten used to the daily and weekly activity from Nellis, which starts usually at or about 10am most days, and can continue on intermittently into the late evening.</p>
<p>One day I couldn't resist taking photos of the incessant training flights that go on over my sleeping place. Here are a few selected images. I took these with a <strong>Canon 5Dmkii</strong> and an <strong>obsolete 100-300mm lens</strong>. They came out okay, I thought.</p>
<p>I have since abandoned the old 100-300mm as it is way too soft at the far and, and it focuses much too slow. I replaced it with a much better 70-300mm USM IS lens which is quick focusing and tack-sharp to the point of competing with my best L lenses. Oddly, Canon has discontinued this great lens with a 75-300mm zoom which is not as sharp and not as rugged. If you find one, make sure you get it...</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0156.jpg" title="Jet over North Las Vegas" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-153-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Jet over North Las Vegas&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Jet over North Las Vegas&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0156.jpg?itok=ruKTguo1" width="100" height="58" alt="Jet over North Las Vegas" title="Jet over North Las Vegas" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0158.jpg" title="Dogfight Over Las Vegas" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-153-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Dogfight Over Las Vegas&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Dogfight Over Las Vegas&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0158.jpg?itok=uEfy5rrZ" width="100" height="60" alt="Dogfight Over Las Vegas" title="Dogfight Over Las Vegas" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0163.jpg" title="Las Vegas Flight" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-153-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Las Vegas Flight&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Las Vegas Flight&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0163.jpg?itok=jg4Y-RP0" width="100" height="54" alt="Las Vegas Flight" title="Las Vegas Flight" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0183.jpg" title="Training Flight Over Las Vegas" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-153-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Training Flight Over Las Vegas&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Training Flight Over Las Vegas&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0183.jpg?itok=AbEJVVkF" width="100" height="83" alt="Training Flight Over Las Vegas" title="Training Flight Over Las Vegas" /></a></div></div></div>Thu, 12 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai153 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/153#commentsWhy I Will Not Work For Criss Angel Againhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/156
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Movies and TV</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Observations</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As many of you know, I have worked in film and television since the early 1990s. In Las Vegas, I have the chance to work on a great many productions, especially reality show productions.</p>
<p>So I got to work the entire summer on <a href="http://www.spike.com/shows/criss-angel-believe" target="_blank">Spike TV's version of Criss Angel's "BeLIEve" television iteration</a>. It was, in fact, the longest reality show production I had ever worked on till then - we did <strong>83 shoot days</strong> from start until the last day of principal photography which was July 27, 2013. The show still was not complete, waiting to shoot several days with <strong>Shaquille O'Neal</strong> and an escape in Time Square. Most reality shows I work on go between 26 shoot days up to 13 weeks, depending on the show and network.</p>
<p>The show shot in Las Vegas and surrounding (with a quick trip to Cabo San Lucas and Florida) all summer long, in sometimes 177 degree weather.</p>
<p>When we get onto any production, we are often asked to enter into a confidentiality agreement which protects the production from anyone leaking information to the public which might harm its promotion. In the case of Criss Angel, the concern was very much to maintain the secrecy of how Criss does his illusions - which are usually very simple, unbelievably easy to replicate, and depressingly obvious in design.</p>
<p>However, where the production strays into intentionally illegal and even dangerous activities, the obligation to keep anything confidential - so far as those things are illegal - is null and void.</p>
<p>There are several activities I objected to on the Criss Angel production on legal and moral grounds. (I hasten to add that any criticism of other production crew or producers outside of Criss Angel himself is not implied here. On this show, Criss had complete executive power and exercised it at all times. Illegal, immoral, dangerous and questionable activities, which were often contemplated and sometimes done on this production were always in my experience brought to the attention of Criss (who usually initiated them) and where they were done, they were done at his inistence. On pain of dismissal for crew.</p>
<p>And so it happens that on this last shoot day, July 27, 2013, Criss Angel had in his mind that he wanted a shot where he was being buzzed at extreme low altitude by a fighter jet while levitating over a crowd. It turns out there is a school in Las Vegas that has a fighter jet (go figure). Criss had production arrange to shoot at a dry lake bed near Jean, Nevada and hire the pilot and jet. However, FAA regulations prohibit any aircraft from flying below 1000 feet within a town, or 500 feet in unpopulated areas. The pilot refused to do it.</p>
<p>Not to be put off, Criss had production go to a private airport at Sandy Valley, where he personally pursuaded an older pilot to buzz a crowd, first at about 50 feet, then at about 30 feet above ground (according to my own and the pilot's estimate). Note that FAA regulations would stipulate 1000 feet as the minimum safe distance.</p>
<p>See the attached photo, which I took with my cell phone camera. It clearly shows the plane about to fly over Criss ("levitating") and a crowd of about 50 unsuspecting (and unpaid!) background people bussed in from Las Vegas just for this shot, as well as the crew.</p>
<p>If it does not occur to you how and why this is dangerous, then you should ask your nearest pilot. Consider how easy it is for a plane to drop or shift in the air 10 or even 20 feet with a cross wind or air pocket, or the slip of a hand on the controls. What would have happened if that occured in this case? FAA regulations are made for very good reason. Reports to the FAA for investigation are pending.</p>
<p>This is a good example of the power of celebrity. The air port management and the pilot knew very well how dangerous this stunt is, and even pointed it out. But the pilot, who admitted it was difficult to hold steady at the speed and altitude he was flying, even offered to do it again if Criss wanted, he was so enthralled.</p>
<p>So Criss Angel personally, and I know he did, arranged this and endangered dozens of lives including my own, and including unpaid and uninformed people, for a shot that wasn't even part of the main show (to my knowledge). This, I cannot put up with and that is why I will not work for Criss Angel again. It is why I support the FAA investigation.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/crissangelfaa_01.jpg" title="Criss Angel FAA Rules Violation July 27, 2013" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-156-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;Criss Angel FAA Rules Violation July 27, 2013&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;Criss Angel FAA Rules Violation July 27, 2013&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/crissangelfaa_01.jpg?itok=5shMBq3i" width="100" height="75" alt="Criss Angel FAA Rules Violation July 27, 2013" title="Criss Angel FAA Rules Violation July 27, 2013" /></a></div></div></div>Thu, 01 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai156 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/156#commentsMOPAR Races & Auto Show 2013https://shadowmihai.com/node/152
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">General</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Working in Tv production gets me into a lot of places I otherwise might not have time or opportunity to get to. One of these was the <a href="http://moparsatthestrip.com" target="_blank">MOPAR auto show at Las Vegas Speedway</a>.</p>
<p>I was there assisting producers of a new reality show. The subject of the show was to find people who had old but "classic" junkers which had yet to be restored who might be interested in appearing on a new reality show. I didn't find many takers, but I did get to see drag races, time trials, and acres of classic cars both restored and customized.</p>
<p>I wasn't there to take photos and I had no time to do so properly even if I had wanted to. Therefore, the images here are from my point-and-shoot. Hope you like them.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0035.JPG" title="MOPAR show coupe" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-152-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show coupe&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show coupe&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0035.JPG?itok=oX8p2jYG" width="100" height="75" alt="MOPAR show coupe" title="MOPAR show coupe" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0012.JPG" title="MOPAR show track" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-152-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show track&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show track&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0012.JPG?itok=gKjEnCxJ" width="100" height="65" alt="MOPAR show track" title="MOPAR show track" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0044.JPG" title="MOPAR auto show engine" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-152-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;MOPAR auto show engine&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;MOPAR auto show engine&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0044.JPG?itok=_WieN4Ie" width="100" height="75" alt="MOPAR auto show engine" title="MOPAR auto show engine" /></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0056.JPG" title="MOPAR auto show engine 2" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-152-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;MOPAR auto show engine 2&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;MOPAR auto show engine 2&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0056.JPG?itok=mjb0g1d5" width="100" height="75" alt="MOPAR auto show engine 2" title="MOPAR auto show engine 2" /></a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/bliogpics/IMG_0053.JPG" title="MOPAR show coupe 2" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="gallery-node-152-Zm52R4_rgX4" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show coupe 2&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;MOPAR show coupe 2&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shadowmihai.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/bliogpics/IMG_0053.JPG?itok=I1OmEftm" width="100" height="75" alt="MOPAR show coupe 2" title="MOPAR show coupe 2" /></a></div></div></div>Thu, 30 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000Shadow Dragu-Mihai152 at https://shadowmihai.comhttps://shadowmihai.com/node/152#comments